Best The Ordinary Peptide Serums 2026: Which One Is Right For You?

Peptides included: Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (a.k.a. argireline), a shortened peptide sequence of Botox.

What the manufacturer says it does: Like Botox, it blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles. This way, the muscles can’t move anymore. If they can’t move, expression lines (like forehead wrinkles and smile lines) look smaller.

What science says it does: According to a 2013 study, applying argireline twice a day for a month can reduce crow’s feet by as much as 48%! “Sounds impressive, but there’s a catch: that 48.9% reduction came from the subjective evaluation. The objective evaluation found a reduction in skin roughness, but not that dramatic 48.9% improvement. Need I say more? 

More recent research hasn’t convinced me either. A 2025 review found that Argireline still has one big problem: it doesn’t penetrate skin well enough to easily reach the muscles it’s supposed to affect. A 2026 clinical study did find improvements in wrinkles, but the serum contained Argireline plus another peptide, niacinamide, gluconolactone and Laminaria extract. With that many actives in the formula, you can’t say Argireline was responsible for the results.

Side effects: Argireline doesn’t penetrate skin well. Only people with thin skin will see an improvement. If you’re young and your skin is thick, you probably won’t see any results at all. (Hint: if you didn’t go through menopause yet, your skin isn’t probably thin enough to see a difference).

Who should use it: Mature women with thin skin who want to relax their expression lines.

My verdict: Skip it unless you have thin, mature skin and really want to experiment with Argireline. The penetration problem is still a big one, and the newer research hasn’t given me a reason to believe The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% is going to do much for most people.

Peptides included: Two generations of Matrixyl™: Matrixyl™ 3000 (palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7) and Matrixyl™ synthe’6™ (palmitoyl tripeptide-38). 

What the manufacturer says it does: “Matrixyl 3000™ works like the skin’s natural repair system. It has consistently demonstrated its ability to reverse chronological ageing, as well as damage caused by exposure to the sun. The anti-wrinkle efficacy of Matrixyl 3000 has been measured as equivalent to an age gain by 2 years in 1 month, and up to 5.5 years after 2 months.” In plain English, Matrixyl stimulates collagen production and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

What science says it does: Not enough to make me reach for my wallet. Most of the impressive research on Matrixyl 3000 and Matrixyl synthe’6 still comes from the companies making or selling the ingredients. A 2026 review mentions improvements in wrinkles with Matrixyl 3000, but independent human research is still pretty thin. Matrixyl synthe’6 has the same problem. The results sound good on paper, but when the people selling the active ingredients are also supplying most of the proof, I’m keeping my retinoid.

Side effects: A waste of money if you don’t get the results you want. Personally, I’m waiting for independent studies confirming its collagen-boosting properties before adding it to my skincare routine.

Who should use it: Personally, I’d skip this one. But if you’re already using your retinoids and vitamin C and still have money to spare, I guess you could give it a go.

My verdict: The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA is cheap, but I still wouldn’t buy it. Most of the impressive Matrixyl claims come from the companies selling the ingredient, and the independent evidence still hasn’t caught up with the hype.

Peptides included: Here’s a quick list:

• Matrixyl™ 3000 peptide complex (with palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7)
• Matrixyl™ synthe’6™ peptide complex (with palmitoyl tripeptide-38)
• SYN™-AKE peptide complex (with dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate)
• Relistase peptide complex (with acetylarginyltryptophyl diphenylglycine)
• ARGIRELOX™ peptide complex (with acetyl hexapeptide-8, pentapeptide-18)

What the manufacturer says it does: Let’s examine the peptides one by one:

• Argirelox Peptide Complex: It relaxes the muscles so they can’t move as well. No movement = no expression lines.
• Palmitoyl tripeptide-1: Boosts collagen production.
• Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7:It makes skin firmer and smoother.
• Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38: It increases the production of hyaluronic acid in the skin.
• Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate: Like Argireline, Syn™-Ake relaxes muscles to reduce wrinkles lines.
• Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine: Known as Restilase, it boosts collagen production.

What science says it does:  Still not enough to make me excited. A 2025 review looked at more than 100 cosmetic peptides and found that the evidence is all over the place – and A LOT of it still comes from lab studies rather than decent human research. SYN™-AKE has a few small studies behind it, but even a recent review basically says, “Nice idea, come back when we have more proof.” As for Matrixyl, ARGIRELOX and Relistase, I’m still waiting for solid independent human studies showing they actually do what the marketing says they do.

Then there’s a 2026 review of 19 clinical trials showing peptides can have a small effect on wrinkles overall. Great. Except the better results were mainly with oral peptides, not the serums you’re slapping on your face. So no, putting five peptide complexes in one bottle doesn’t magically turn this into an anti-aging powerhouse. More peptides does not automatically mean more results.

Side effects: Again, peptides aren’t dangerous for your skin. It’s your wallet you should worry about.

Who should use it: I don’t really recommend it unless you have the money to spare. If you’re curious about peptides, it’s a cheap way to test what they can do for you.

My verdict: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum gives you a lot of peptides for the money. Shame “more peptides” doesn’t automatically mean “more results.” Until the independent research catches up with the ingredient list, I’d still spend my money on retinoids first.

Peptides included: Here’s a quick list:

• Copper Peptides (a.k.a. GHK-Cu/Copper Tripeptide-1)
• Matrixyl 3000 peptide complex (with palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7)
• Matrixyl synthe’6 peptide complex (with palmitoyl tripeptide-38)
• SYN-AKE peptide complex (with dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate)
• Relistase peptide complex (with acetylarginyltryptophyl diphenylglycine)
• ARGIRELOX peptide complex (with acetyl hexapeptide-8, pentapeptide-18)

What the manufacturer says it does: Copper peptides activate a lot of functions in the body, including wound healing, collagen production and anti-inflammatory responses. They keep skin in a constant state of repair. What about the other peptides? They’re the same ones in Buffet, so go read the section above. 🙂

What science says it does: A 2015 study found that GHK-Cu can help support skin repair, wound healing and collagen production. In plain English, copper peptides actually have something going for them: they can soothe skin, help it repair itself and boost collagen. More recent research hasn’t really changed that picture. A 2025 review still found surprisingly few clinical studies on GHK-Cu, while a 2026 review found the human evidence is still limited. So copper peptides? I’m listening. The other peptides in this serum? Still mostly waiting for studies they can do something.

Side effects: Using too much copper can have the opposite effect and make you age faster. Use the serum only a few times a week to be on the safe side.

Who should use it: If you’re past 40, are already using proven collagen boosters like retinol and vitamin C, but feel like there’s more you can do to keep your skin in top shape, investing in a copper peptide serum makes sense. Honestly, copper peptides are the only peptides I feel comfortable recommending it right now because there’s actually proof they do something (and you can’t say that with anything else!).

My verdict: If I had to pick one The Ordinary peptide serum, I’d still pick this one because GHK-Cu has more going for it than most peptides serums But at $32.00, I’d still buy a retinoid first.

Peptides included: This serum only contains only lonely peptide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4. This is the original Matrixyl peptide before Sederma also made Matrixyl 3000.

What the manufacturer says it does: “MATRIXYL® visibly smoothes facial wrinkles through the reconstruction of the extracellular matrix and the dermo-epidermal junction. It also reduces inflammatory phenomena hence protecting against inflammation.” In plain English, it makes wrinkles look smaller and soothes inflammation.

What science says it does: I’ve found a study that says this peptide can boost collagen production in vitro (that’s on a Petri dish in a lab). It’s promising, but I’m still waiting for these effects to be proven in independent studies done on real humans before I give it my seal of approval.

A 2023 double-blind randomised trial found that Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 improved crow’s feet compared with placebo. Sounds good… until you realise the study had just 21 women. Even the researchers themselves said larger and longer studies are needed. So yes, we finally have some human evidence. Am I impressed enough to swap my retinol for Matrixyl? Not even close.

Side effects: Again, it doesn’t have side effects for your skin. Just for your wallet.

Who should use it: Personally, I’d skip this one too. The Ordinary makes some great retinoids and vitamin C serums that are proven to work against wrinkles, so save your money for that.

My verdict: One tiny human study isn’t enough to get me waving the Matrixyl pom-poms. If wrinkles are the goal, retinoids and vitamin C have proof they work. This peptide is still standing outside the club trying to get on the guest list.

Peptides included: Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3 and Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate (a.k.a. SYN™-AKE). There’s also niacinamide, caffeine and antioxidants in here, so this isn’t exactly a peptide-only affair.

What the manufacturer says it does: “Targets common signs of aging around the eyes, such as the look of crow’s feet and under-eye wrinkles, as well as puffiness and dark circles.” In plain English, it’s supposed to make the eye area look smoother, less puffy and less dark.

What science says it does: Not enough to convince me it works. A 2023 clinical study tested a multi-peptide eye serum on 32 women for 28 days and found improvements in crow’s feet, hydration, elasticity and firmness. Sounds good, until you look closer. There were only 32 women, no placebo group, and the serum contained several other actives too. So you can’t say the peptides were responsible for the results. And the individual peptides don’t save it either. If you’ve read this far, you know by now Matrixyl synthe’6 and SYN™-AKE still don’t have anything close to the kind of solid independent evidence I’d want before calling them effective anti-aging ingredients.

Side effects: Nothing major. Apart from wasting $25.00 on an eye serum I don’t think does enough to justify buying it.

Who should use it: Personally, I’d skip it. If fine lines and wrinkles are your main concern, I’d put that money towards a retinoid instead.

My verdict: Lots of peptides. Lots of claims. Still not enough proof it actually works.